Free Victorious by M.S. Force

thought I could go back if they asked me to and things would return to normal. But after the interview with Carolyn and the SAG Awards, I realized my normal has changed, and there’s no going back to who I was before I became your wife.”
    Her words are like a spike to my heart, reminding me that while my life has changed for the better since we met, hers has been tipped upside down. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
    “Please don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault. I knew what I was getting into when I took you on. Well, I mostly knew…”
    A laugh rumbles through me. I’m glad she can joke about the thing that nearly ruined us. I started this day wondering if I’d ever see her again, and now anything is possible.  
    “I’m mostly afraid that if I go back, things will get crazy again with the paparazzi surrounding the school, and the board will regret asking me back. If that happens and I have to leave again… I can’t do that to my kids, as much as I miss them and want to be with them. I can’t jerk them around like that.”
    “I wish you could have everything you want and have me, too. Remember when we first met, and I tried to describe the downside to celebrity? This is it.”
    “There’s something else…”
    “What’s that?”
    “The foundation. Ever since you asked me to be part of that, it’s all I seem to think about when I’m not thinking about you and everything that’s happened with us. I’m so excited to be involved with such a worthwhile cause, and as much as I wish I could return to my classroom, being part of the effort to address childhood hunger in this country is so exciting.”
    “You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that. I knew I was asking the right person to head up this effort. You should also know that my management team has been overrun with inquiries as to whether you’re interested in modeling, acting and a wide variety of other offers, including interview requests from every major name you can think of.”
    “No way.”
    “Yes way. I told you you’d be in hot demand after the interview with Carolyn.”
    “Wow. They really want me to model ? What do I know about that?”
    “They love your look, and I can’t say I blame them. I do, too. I can have my manager, Danielle, send over the most interesting offers, and you can take a look.”
    “I don’t know about that, Flynn. Show business is your thing, not mine.”
    I shrug. “It can be your business, too, if that’s what you want. You don’t have to decide anything right away. Focus on the foundation for now, and see what happens.”
    “I suppose I could do that. It’s so weird that people know who I am and are interested in me. That’s going to take some getting used to.”
    “You’ve got the rest of your life to get used to it. Take all the time you need.” I kiss her forehead and then her cheek. “Is it okay to say that I’m thrilled and relieved that we won’t be spending any time on opposite coasts?”
    “It’s okay to say that,” she says with a smile. “I’m relieved, too.”
    “So you’re going to tell the school you’re declining their offer to return?”
    Nodding, she says, “I’ll write to each of my students and explain why I’m not coming back and give them our address so they can write to me. That would be okay, wouldn’t it?”
    “We can’t give out our actual address, but I have a PO box you can use.”
    “That’ll work.” She eyes me with excitement and anticipation. “So does this mean I’m officially moving to LA?”
    “Eventually. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re somewhat snowed in for the time being.” I nod to the windows, where the driving snow is highlighted by the orange glow of security lights from an adjacent building. “We’re not going anywhere for the next day or two.”
    She runs her finger up the inside of my thigh, sparking an immediate reaction. “Whatever will we do with all that time?”
    “Well, I’ve got that drawer full